Mahakala with Vajrapani Thangka

Description

Mahakala with Vajrapani Thangka is handpainted on cotton canvas by Thangka artist from Nepal. The size of this thangka is 60 x 44cmand its weight is 0.1kg. Mahakala is comprehensive in nature.

Mahakala is presented at the center of the painting. Two Vajrapani are presented at the bottom left and bottom right corner of the Mahakala in the thangka. It is often thought to be the primary protector, but it is actually the main protector of the Karmapas.

Iconography of Mahakala

Mahakala is typically black in color. Just as all colors are absorbed and dissolved into black, all names and forms are said to melt into those of Mahakala. Mahakala is symbolizing his all-embracing. Black can also represent the total absence of color and signifies the nature of Mahakala as ultimate or absolute reality and transcendence of all forms.

The most notable variation in Mahakala’s manifestations and depictions is in the number of arms, but other details can vary as well. For instance, the two-armed Mahakala was transformed from the first Buddha, Ardhalma, and is worshiped for his spiritual wisdom. The four-armed Mahakala was transformed from the Sambhogakaya Buddha. The six-armed Mahakala comes in two forms: one white and one black. His white form helps one attain riches and long life.

His black form was transformed from Avalokitesvara and helps people conquer any obstacles on their path to enlightenment. This protective deity is described as figures possessing stout bodies, short but thick, and strong limbs. His flaming hair, decorated with a crown of skulls, rises from his forehead, while a circle of flames dances around him.

His face possesses a typical wrathful expression. The mouth is contorted to an angry smile from its corners protrude long fangs. The protruding, bloodshot eyes have an angry and staring expression and usually, a third eye is visible in the middle of the forehead.

He holds a chopper in his right hand that symbolizes the cutting through of negative patterns such as aggression, hatred, and ignorance. He holds a skull cup a ritual element typically filled with blood or human brain matter in the left hand. He is seen standing on the corpse of two human bodies which symbolizing the death of negativities and the complete uprooting of negative patterns to such a point that like a dead body, and they will not come to life.

Mantra of Mahakala

The mantra of Mahakala is Om Mahakalaye Soha.

Iconography of Vajrapani

Two Vajrapani are presented at the bottom left and bottom right corner of the Mahakala in the thangka. Vajrapani is one of the earliest bodhisattvas of Mahayana Buddhism. He is the protector and guide of the Buddha and rose to symbolize the Buddha’s power.

Vajrapani is pictured dancing wildly within a halo of flames which represents transformation. He holds a vajra (thunderbolt) in his right hand which emphasizes the power to cut through the darkness of delusion. Vajrapani looks wrathful, but as a representation of the enlightened mind. He is completely free from hatred.

Mantra of Vajrapani

The mantra of Vajrapani is om vajrapani hum phat.